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Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs

An exploration of the impact of Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss, which deal with the themes of love and death. From 2009.

An exploration of the impact of Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss, which deal with the themes of love and death.

Richard Strauss was 84 when he completed his last work. It was the Four Last Songs, which, although about death, convey a sense of calm acceptance. It was written of its time in 1948, but it still touches the hearts of many listeners today.

As the soprano voice delves ever deeper into the richness of the music, interviewees tell how the Four Last Songs have brought calm and beauty at key moments in their lives.

Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.

Contributors
Alan Yentob
Michael Kennedy
Gillian Weir
Margaret Nelson
Jamie Nichols
Gabe Meline

Producer: Rosie Boulton

First broadcast on 麻豆社 Radio 4 in 2009.

Available now

30 minutes

On radio

Fri 27 Mar 2026 10:00

Music Played

  • Jessye Norman

    Fruhling (Hesse) Four Last Songs

    • Gewandhausorchesterb Leipzig.
    • RICHARD STRAUSS VIER LETZTE LIEDER.
  • Jessye Norman

    September (Hesse) Four Last Songs)

    • Kurt Masur;.
    • GEWANDHAUSORCHESTERB LEIPZIG.
  • Jessye Norman

    Beim Schlafengehen (Hesse)

    • Kurt Masur;.
    • GEWANDHAUSORCHESTERB LEIPZIG.
  • Jessye Norman

    Im Abendrot (Eichendorff)

    • Kurt Masur;.
    • GEWANDHAUSORCHESTERB LEIPZIG.

Credit

Role Contributor
Composer Richard Strauss

Broadcasts

  • Tue 29 Sep 2009 13:30
  • Sat 3 Oct 2009 15:30
  • Fri 10 Jun 2016 18:30
  • Sat 11 Jun 2016 00:30
  • Tue 26 Jan 2021 18:30
  • Wed 27 Jan 2021 00:30
  • Fri 27 Mar 2026 10:00
  • Fri 27 Mar 2026 16:00
  • Sat 28 Mar 2026 00:00

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